1. An evolving approach to fire risk

The consequences of a fire on the environment are at the heart of concerns and risk studies for facilities holding hazardous, radioactive, toxic or virological materials.

The specific design and operating provisions for these facilities make it possible to limit the risk of occurrence and the consequences of a fire by implementing prevention, detection, intervention and mitigation measures.

Regulatory developments, particularly in the nuclear sector, mean that environmental emissions must be kept to very low levels under all circumstances. In design studies and risk analyses, these objectives lead to the deterministic assumption of fire ignition in premises containing hazardous materials, and the possible failure of the associated extinguishing systems. The aim is then to determine the means of limiting the ultimate consequences on the environment...